Today, I was out wandering around in the Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area located in Steep Falls, ME. There is only about an inch of snow on the ground and most of the wet spots have just enough ice to keep me from punching through. My hiking partners were Mr. 7 and his Pa. We traveled about 2.41 miles in 3 3/4 hours.
We saw a variety of habitat from select-cut forest, wetlands, tall softwood stands, and old clear-cuts with lots of head high softwood growth. There are many ATV paths and old skidder trails through the area. We bushwhacked around and found a ton of deer sign, moose scat, coyote tracks and scat, and rabbit tracks. We didn't actually see any critters while we were out there. It is kind of difficult to sneak up on animals when a 7 year-old is talking and wielding a stick that must be swung against every tree and smashed against every patch of ice. We still had a good time though.
It occurred to me that you cross country skiers out there might really enjoy a trip along the railroad tracks that run through the middle of the preserve. I would highly recommend skiing it once we get another foot or so of snow up there.
I'm hoping to spend some more time in this spot once we get a little more snow.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
"Adventure is about the uniqueness of experiences".
- From the movie Amazonia Vertical
This quote explains why I feel the need to go off trail and bushwhack so often. One of the goals of this blog is to communicate that uniqueness and hopefully encourage you to go explore and enjoy Maine the way I do. See you in 2012!
- From the movie Amazonia Vertical
This quote explains why I feel the need to go off trail and bushwhack so often. One of the goals of this blog is to communicate that uniqueness and hopefully encourage you to go explore and enjoy Maine the way I do. See you in 2012!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Hiking in Saco
I was able to spend some much needed time in the woods on Saturday. A friend and I bushwhacked our way around a large piece of woods in Saco, Maine. Being the last day of muzzleloading season, we made sure to wear plenty of orange.
We didn't find any deer or antlers although there was plenty of sign and the area appeared to be well hunted. We came across three tree stands and three ground blinds. If the hunters had scouted a bit better or maybe been willing to walk a little farther, they would have realized that there were two spots about a mile away that had much more deer traffic. Oh well, that means more deer for me to look at and collect antlers from.
We ran across an interesting structure out in the woods (see photo at right). It was a fairly well built three-sided structure made out of small trees. The trees were all nailed together. Someone spent considerable time building it and packing in supplies. The roof was made of several tarps supported by trees. The front door was a full glass patio door. There was a medicine cabinet, plastic chairs, and an old pair of snowshoes inside. A fireplace had been constructed and was also set up for cooking. The area around the structure had been raked recently. There was a small supply of cut firewood available.
I was happy to see a "Leave No Trace" sign inside the structure. I used to be a certified Leave No Trace trainer when I worked for the US Forest Service back in the 90's. Adherence to the L.N.T. principles explains why I didn't find any food or waste lying around.
I am willing to bet that the type of person who would construct such a thing far out in the woods is also not the type who would want me to reveal its location. I'll keep it a secret for now.
I also came across an old bottle dump. I recovered a bottle labeled, "Seal Rock Spring Beverages", "Seal Rock Orange Crush Bottling Co., Saco, Maine." The label has an interesting depiction of a seal holding a bottle. A little research revealed that this bottling company was established around 1919 in an area just west of Ferry Beach State Park. The bottle I found would have been sold in the 40's or 50's and is worth around $25 - $35 today. I have the bottle sitting on a shelf next to my kitchen window. Maybe I should start collecting bottles?
We didn't find any deer or antlers although there was plenty of sign and the area appeared to be well hunted. We came across three tree stands and three ground blinds. If the hunters had scouted a bit better or maybe been willing to walk a little farther, they would have realized that there were two spots about a mile away that had much more deer traffic. Oh well, that means more deer for me to look at and collect antlers from.
We ran across an interesting structure out in the woods (see photo at right). It was a fairly well built three-sided structure made out of small trees. The trees were all nailed together. Someone spent considerable time building it and packing in supplies. The roof was made of several tarps supported by trees. The front door was a full glass patio door. There was a medicine cabinet, plastic chairs, and an old pair of snowshoes inside. A fireplace had been constructed and was also set up for cooking. The area around the structure had been raked recently. There was a small supply of cut firewood available.
I was happy to see a "Leave No Trace" sign inside the structure. I used to be a certified Leave No Trace trainer when I worked for the US Forest Service back in the 90's. Adherence to the L.N.T. principles explains why I didn't find any food or waste lying around.
I am willing to bet that the type of person who would construct such a thing far out in the woods is also not the type who would want me to reveal its location. I'll keep it a secret for now.
I also came across an old bottle dump. I recovered a bottle labeled, "Seal Rock Spring Beverages", "Seal Rock Orange Crush Bottling Co., Saco, Maine." The label has an interesting depiction of a seal holding a bottle. A little research revealed that this bottling company was established around 1919 in an area just west of Ferry Beach State Park. The bottle I found would have been sold in the 40's or 50's and is worth around $25 - $35 today. I have the bottle sitting on a shelf next to my kitchen window. Maybe I should start collecting bottles?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Snowshoeing in the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary
I went for a short snowshoeing adventure today in the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a great day for it - 24 degrees and sunny with 8 inches of fresh snow on top of a roughly 16" base. There were hikers and cross-country skiers out on the trails as well.
There are several established trails forming multiple loops through the sanctuary. It is a great place to go for a short hike. I average 10-12 hikes per year at this location because it is very close to my house and I can sometimes squeeze in a hike right after work in the summertime.
Today, I bushwhacked through the sanctuary following wildlife tracks. I didn't find any animals but it was fun just being outdoors getting some exercise.
I posted three photographs of the scenery.
For more information about the sanctuary, visit: Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary
There are several established trails forming multiple loops through the sanctuary. It is a great place to go for a short hike. I average 10-12 hikes per year at this location because it is very close to my house and I can sometimes squeeze in a hike right after work in the summertime.
Today, I bushwhacked through the sanctuary following wildlife tracks. I didn't find any animals but it was fun just being outdoors getting some exercise.
I posted three photographs of the scenery.
For more information about the sanctuary, visit: Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary
Monday, January 10, 2011
Old Blue Point Area Trails
I had the opportunity to venture out into the woods on Sunday in Scarborough, ME. I chose an area bordered by the Eastern Trail at the south end of town. I took Mr. 6 with me and we wandered on and off trail looking for deer sign. There was plenty of deer sign in the area.
The snow was only 1-3 inches deep so the deer are still wandering quite a bit. The woods is relatively open so bushwhacking was a breeze.
We noticed someone else's shoe prints in snow that followed alongside the deer trails. Apparently, we are not the only ones with an interest in the local deer herd.
We also noticed cross-country ski tracks. Trail conditions were a bit rough on Sunday for that type of travel but with several more inches of fresh snow pack, I could visualize this being a very nice loop to ski or snowshoe.
Trail details:
Parking is available at the Scarborough Memorial Cemetery on Old Blue Point Road near Cascade Brook.
There is a nice loop that you can make by following a straight, narrow trail that leads southwest alongside the cemetery and parallels the Eastern Trail. That trail will take you to a power company right of way where you can take a right and continue to Cascade Brook. Just before you reach the brook, you will come upon a Wildlife Refuge boundary trail marked with red blazes. Taking a right on that trail will lead you back to the cemetery. The boundary trail meanders along the bank of Cascade Brook. The loop is approximately 1.4 miles long and is very flat.
The snow was only 1-3 inches deep so the deer are still wandering quite a bit. The woods is relatively open so bushwhacking was a breeze.
We noticed someone else's shoe prints in snow that followed alongside the deer trails. Apparently, we are not the only ones with an interest in the local deer herd.
We also noticed cross-country ski tracks. Trail conditions were a bit rough on Sunday for that type of travel but with several more inches of fresh snow pack, I could visualize this being a very nice loop to ski or snowshoe.
Trail details:
Parking is available at the Scarborough Memorial Cemetery on Old Blue Point Road near Cascade Brook.
There is a nice loop that you can make by following a straight, narrow trail that leads southwest alongside the cemetery and parallels the Eastern Trail. That trail will take you to a power company right of way where you can take a right and continue to Cascade Brook. Just before you reach the brook, you will come upon a Wildlife Refuge boundary trail marked with red blazes. Taking a right on that trail will lead you back to the cemetery. The boundary trail meanders along the bank of Cascade Brook. The loop is approximately 1.4 miles long and is very flat.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Psychology of an Adventurer
"It is not what we get, but what we become by our endeavors that make them worthwhile."
- John Ruskin
Since I have not had the opportunity to get outdoors on any exciting adventures in the past few weeks, I have taken some time to reflect upon what makes a person seek adventure. Is it a personality trait that predisposes one to such things?, a physiological effect that is sought?, a simple love of the outdoors?, or something else? I suppose an adventurer can be motivated by a combination of those variables and more, and to differing degrees. Since I am not a psychologist, it is probably unwise for me to comment in depth on how the brain works or how motivation is developed but I can share what I find to be the psychological benefits that I get out of adventure seeking. Here are a few that readily come to mind:
Focus - Adventures that are physically and mentally challenging allow me to focus on the ascent, the crux, or the endurance phase to the exclusion of all the other distractions in life. It is an opportunity to block out the background noise that clutters daily life. It is an opportunity to do one thing and do it well.
Sense of Achievement - Adventures present an opportunity to set a goal and achieve it. Reaching the goal requires perseverance and determination. Generally, the more challenging the goal, the greater the sense of satisfaction once the goal is reached. Adventures are about creating a situation where a sense of accomplishment can be enjoyed at its conclusion.
Humility - Adventures are an opportunity to become acquianted with strengths and weaknesses. They are an opportunity to learn about self and to "put things in perspective." There are times when adventures have reminded me of the fragility of life. Those experiences can be channeled in a positive way to help prioritize what is important.
Stress Relief - As with any form of intense physical activity, one of the crucial benefits of adventures is reduction of stress. I think that physical activity is important in terms of maintaining good body chemistry and for me, it also provides an outlet for tension and negativity. It is an opportunity to clear the mind. It is nice to sit on a mountaintop and be immersed in the natural beauty that surrounds you.
If you are looking for the benefits I've described above, you might try meditation first. That seems to be a much easier route to take. But, if you are like me and are into doing things the hard way, be sure to say hello if we cross paths on our next adventure.
- John Ruskin
Since I have not had the opportunity to get outdoors on any exciting adventures in the past few weeks, I have taken some time to reflect upon what makes a person seek adventure. Is it a personality trait that predisposes one to such things?, a physiological effect that is sought?, a simple love of the outdoors?, or something else? I suppose an adventurer can be motivated by a combination of those variables and more, and to differing degrees. Since I am not a psychologist, it is probably unwise for me to comment in depth on how the brain works or how motivation is developed but I can share what I find to be the psychological benefits that I get out of adventure seeking. Here are a few that readily come to mind:
Focus - Adventures that are physically and mentally challenging allow me to focus on the ascent, the crux, or the endurance phase to the exclusion of all the other distractions in life. It is an opportunity to block out the background noise that clutters daily life. It is an opportunity to do one thing and do it well.
Sense of Achievement - Adventures present an opportunity to set a goal and achieve it. Reaching the goal requires perseverance and determination. Generally, the more challenging the goal, the greater the sense of satisfaction once the goal is reached. Adventures are about creating a situation where a sense of accomplishment can be enjoyed at its conclusion.
Humility - Adventures are an opportunity to become acquianted with strengths and weaknesses. They are an opportunity to learn about self and to "put things in perspective." There are times when adventures have reminded me of the fragility of life. Those experiences can be channeled in a positive way to help prioritize what is important.
Stress Relief - As with any form of intense physical activity, one of the crucial benefits of adventures is reduction of stress. I think that physical activity is important in terms of maintaining good body chemistry and for me, it also provides an outlet for tension and negativity. It is an opportunity to clear the mind. It is nice to sit on a mountaintop and be immersed in the natural beauty that surrounds you.
If you are looking for the benefits I've described above, you might try meditation first. That seems to be a much easier route to take. But, if you are like me and are into doing things the hard way, be sure to say hello if we cross paths on our next adventure.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Winter Tracking II
In my last post, I provided an overview of one of my typical wild game tracking trips. I'm guessing that most people make the same observations. Most people would also typically not see the game they are tracking each time they go on a tracking trip. This post is about things you can do to increase the odds of seeing what you are tracking.
First, once you determine the location of a major trail, setting up a game camera along the trail can give you a lot of valuable data. There are many game cameras out there but there are certain must have features that you should look for.
Motion sensor - If your camera doesn't have a motion sensor, it will take photos every time the wind blows the leaves on a nearby tree. Only taking the photos you really want (of game) makes reviewing photos after a deployment much easier.
Infrared (IR) - Animals are most active in low light. Your camera needs IR technology so that it can "see" in the dark.
Memory card - You will want the ability to swap memory cards to retrieve images. Unmounting the camera to download images or bringing a laptop and cable into the woods with you are not ideal methods.
Most good cameras will record the date and time each photo was taken. Some even record weather related data. Finding patterns in the data can help you determine when would be a good time to be in the woods to get a first-hand look at the animal you are interested in.
Animals passing by a game camera can give you some quick data but encouraging them to linger in front of the lens will produce more images and better quality images. I bring some livestock feed with me and scatter it around on the ground 10-20 feet in front of the camera. Blue Seal Feeds sells a product called "Course 14" that many animals, especially deer, seem to enjoy. I put some Course 14 out in the woods today and had four deer on the feed within three hours. It works! The resulting images can reveal individual characteristics enabling you to identify specific animals. Individual characteristics can be the size and shape of antlers, hair/fur color, injuries, etc.
I hope you have as much fun as I do being outdoors viewing our furry friends.
Note: Feeding game < 1/4 mile from a roadway is frowned upon. Attracting big game to roads is dangerous for the game and the people using the road.
First, once you determine the location of a major trail, setting up a game camera along the trail can give you a lot of valuable data. There are many game cameras out there but there are certain must have features that you should look for.
Motion sensor - If your camera doesn't have a motion sensor, it will take photos every time the wind blows the leaves on a nearby tree. Only taking the photos you really want (of game) makes reviewing photos after a deployment much easier.
Infrared (IR) - Animals are most active in low light. Your camera needs IR technology so that it can "see" in the dark.
Memory card - You will want the ability to swap memory cards to retrieve images. Unmounting the camera to download images or bringing a laptop and cable into the woods with you are not ideal methods.
Most good cameras will record the date and time each photo was taken. Some even record weather related data. Finding patterns in the data can help you determine when would be a good time to be in the woods to get a first-hand look at the animal you are interested in.
Animals passing by a game camera can give you some quick data but encouraging them to linger in front of the lens will produce more images and better quality images. I bring some livestock feed with me and scatter it around on the ground 10-20 feet in front of the camera. Blue Seal Feeds sells a product called "Course 14" that many animals, especially deer, seem to enjoy. I put some Course 14 out in the woods today and had four deer on the feed within three hours. It works! The resulting images can reveal individual characteristics enabling you to identify specific animals. Individual characteristics can be the size and shape of antlers, hair/fur color, injuries, etc.
I hope you have as much fun as I do being outdoors viewing our furry friends.
Note: Feeding game < 1/4 mile from a roadway is frowned upon. Attracting big game to roads is dangerous for the game and the people using the road.
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